Drug traffickers issue death threats against three Mexican bishops

Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 21, 2009 / 01:30 pm (CNA).- The spokesman for the Archdiocese of Mexico City, Father Hugo Valdemar, told reporters this week that three bishops in Michoacan have received death threats from drug trafficking gangs.

“There is news that three bishops and several priests in Michoacan have been threatened. Generally these things are not made public but it is obvious that wherever drug traffickers are operating, the criminals see these people as their enemies,” the priest said.

He went on to note that for now the bishops have not requested extra protection even though they are living with anxiety and insecurity and that each one would determine whether or not increased security would be necessary.

Last week the bishops of Michoacan called for an end to the violence sweeping the region.

“If there is not a united front by the government to combat crime this war will be lost,” Father Valdemar asserted. “There are certain aspects that must be protected. The Church has always said that this war cannot take place at the cost of human rights. The rule of law must be preserved, but reforms are needed in order to more effectively combat this urgent problem,” he said.